It’s Not About You
Yielding to God’s Nudges
But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.
1 John 2:5
I used never to buy myself flowers, but a couple of years ago, while grocery shopping, I saw a dozen flowers that were so pretty. I thought, ‘You worked hard today. Get the flowers.’ So I did. I checked out and walked to my car to load my groceries. While putting the flowers in the car, I ask myself, why did you buy them? Like really, why? I walk my cart back to the store and see the sweetest little family walking out. The dad was carrying a baby around one year old, and the mom looked like she was about to pop with another baby. The thought flooded, ‘She needs flowers.’ The thought perturbed me. I mean, I felt like I deserved to keep them. I passed them again, walking to my car.
I tried to ignore the nudge, but nope, I had to give her the flowers. I hear God say, “It’s not about you. It’s about her.” Oh, gee. Ok! So I walked my awkward, introverted self over to them as they were loading up their groceries and just handed her the flowers with a smile. I didn’t even say a word! She looked at me dumbfounded and muttered a simple thank you. I pause to say something, but nothing is coming out. Her husband says thanks, and I nod, turn, and walk back to my car. And cry, not because I wanted the flowers or because of my ‘great’ humility. On the way home, I converse with Holy Spirit, where I’m reminded again, ‘It’s not about you. It’s always about them.”
God wants us to be obedient regardless of how we feel. What would the world be like if we fully complied with God’s nudges? Because most nudges aren’t for you; it's to minister to another.
One of our values at The Well is to be Generous like our Father. God has blessed us in every way so that we can be generous in every way to advance the gospel of the Kingdom. Joyfully giving our time, affection, talents, and money attracts God’s attention, draws heaven’s blessing, produces transformation, and enables Him to trust us with the true riches of the Kingdom.
Acts 10:3-6 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.”
Acts 10:33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”
The Gentiles Hear the Good News… Cornelius probably didn’t recognize the magnitude of his obedience to fetching Peter at that moment. One gesture of obedience secured an entire people group the opportunity to respond to the gospel. What may seem small to you can be huge in the Kingdom of God. I leave you with this final question: will you be obedient to the nudges of God?
